Research Paper Note Cards Introduction to Research Unit Mrs. Carpenter & Ms. Jantz

WHAT GOES ON A NOTE CARD? Information you did not know about your topic that you get from another author

HOW TO TAKE ANOTHER AUTHOR’S INFORMATION?? Paraphrase Summarize Quote DON’T PLAGIARIZE!!!!

PLAGIARISM It's like lip-synching to someone else's voice and accepting the applause and rewards for yourself. IF YOU PLAGIARIZE, YOU WILL FAIL!!! …any time you take a writer’s words and use them as your own, you are plagiarizing!

Using another writer’s words as your own… the right way! Paraphrase Summarize Quote Include your own thoughts about what the writer has to say ALWAYS GIVE THE CREDIT TO THE REAL AUTHOR!

WHAT IS PARAPHRASING? Restating or rewording what the original author said

PARAPHRASE Example of what you read: "I had to explain to him that I was deaf. I said, 'Wait; I can't hear; please talk slowly.' He looked at me and said, 'What?' I told him again I was deaf, and he said, 'Oh.' He pointed to a door and told me to go through that door. I followed his instructions. I opened the door and walked through it, closing the door behind me. I found that I was in the hallway near the elevator where I had just come up. I was shocked! He had rejected me without any explanation. I got into the elevator, and as it descended, I felt very letdown. I couldn't understand why he didn't give me a chance to explain that I could do the job well. It didn't require hearing!" -- Bernard Bragg, My First Summer Job, A Handful of Stories, 19

PARAPHRASE Example of paraphrasing what you read: In A Handful of Stories, Bernard Bragg tells a story of trying to get a job. One time he told a potential employer he was deaf, and the man just pointed to the door. Mr. Bragg, not realizing the man was telling him to leave, opened the door and stepped out. Not until he went out the door did he realize he had been rejected because he was deaf (19).

WHAT IS SUMMARIZING? State information in a concise way Offers main points only It is short and compact

QUOTE Use quotation marks “ “ to show EXACTLY what the author was saying (Do NOT use more than 4 lines) Include Author’s Last Name and Page Number on which you found the information, directly after the quote For example, According to Hughes, “poetry rocks!” (Hughes, p. 2)

So, what goes on the note card? As you find interesting information about your topic, you write them down. Each idea should be paraphrased or summarized (unless you intend to use a direct quote) and written on a card. Each new idea gets a new card.

Stay organized! In order to keep your ideas in order, and to remember where you found the ideas, there are four items that you should include on the index card

4 Items to include on card .

1. Card Topic Topic is the kind of information on the card. Think of it as the title, or main idea of the card. After writing down the information, figure out how you could briefly categorize, or title it.

Card Topic For example, if you are writing a paper on the life and works of the poet, Langston Hughes, you may have cards with topics such as: Hughes' upbringing Hughes' influences Hughes' poetry Hughes' political beliefs Hughes' influence on America

2. Source Title The source title is the name of the book, magazine, website, etc., in which you found the information. You will want to also turn your card over and list ALL Catalog Card information (publisher, etc.).

Giving Your Source a Number In the previous example, the source was given a number, instead of writing out the entire title, author, etc.

Write out the title for the source you are using on each card , or simply list your sources on a separate sheet of paper. Number your sources on this list Use the numbers on the note cards to specify which source provided which fact.

3. paraphrased information It is helpful to paraphrase, or summarize, your research on the index cards while you are taking notes. If you are consistent in paraphrasing at this stage, then you will be certain not to accidentally plagiarize someone else's work. You will also have less work to do when you are actually writing the paper.

4. page numbers It is important to be accurate with the page numbers on your note cards, as you will need them for citations throughout your research paper.

Sample Note Cards Organized by Card Topic